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What Does Your Workspace Say About You?
by
Tag Goulet
FabJob Inc. publishes
books, e-books, and CD-ROMs that can help you break into a "fab"
job. Visit www.FabJob.com
for information and career advice.
You
have been facing a challenge at work, but at least you can
laugh about it when you find a similar situation illustrated
in a cartoon. The cartoon summarizes your frustration with
management so well, you’re thinking of posting it by your
desk.
Before
you do, you may want to give some serious thought to the
message you will be conveying to everyone who comes by your
workspace.
According to Jo-Ellan Dimitrius, PhD, workplace “props”
can offer significant clues to an employee’s personality,
values, and level of commitment to the job.
Although most workers have little control over such matters as
furniture style or carpet color, many companies allow
employees freedom in how they decorate their workspace.
Dimitrius, author of
Reading People, says workplace items such as
calendars, photographs, and reading materials are particularly
revealing because, with so many choices available, they
provide the best opportunity for individual statement.
While
you may not label others based on such items, others may be
making judgements about you. After all, a Dilbert day
planner communicates different messages than a motivational
calendar featuring slogans about teamwork and perseverance.
And
what if an employee has no props? In my experience, employees
who choose not to have workplace props may see their position
as temporary. Fewer props make for easier packing when it is
time to move on.
Clutter
also communicates a message. Says Dimitrius, “A messy,
disorganized desk usually points to a messy, disorganized
person, and never mind the standard assurances to the
contrary.”
However, if you juggle a variety of projects in a fast-paced
organization, some clutter is probably expected. To
paraphrase a poster I saw in a busy office, an empty desk may
be seen as a sign of an empty mind – or at least a mind that
isn’t facing many professional challenges.
Because
what is acceptable varies from one workplace to another, I
suggest you take a look at the messages you are communicating
through your workspace. You may just decide the best place
for that controversial cartoon is at home.
FabJob Inc.
publishes books, e-books, and CD-ROMs that can help you break
into a "fab" job. Visit www.FabJob.com
for information and career advice.
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